TREASURE COAST FLORIDA NEWS

REPORTING NEWS 24/7 FOR STUART, PORT ST LUCIE, PALM CITY, JENSEN BEACH, ST LUCIE WEST, HOBE SOUND,
PORT SALERNO, HUTCHINSON ISLAND, INDIANTOWN AND FT PIERCE SINCE FEBRUARY 1999
SATURDAY MAY 12, 2007
UPDATED 11 AM EDT

Updated 7 days a week & throughout the day whenever news happens
OWNED, WRITTEN & PRODUCED BY TOM TETER NEWS DIRECTOR AT WSTU AM 1450 STUART, FLORIDA
COPYRIGHT 1999 - 2007 TOM TETER.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

I'M NOT SHOUTING AT YOU. THIS SITE IS IN CAPS
 BECAUSE I CAN'T HIT THE SHIFT KEY WITH EITHER PINKY FINGER WITHOUT LOOKING DOWN. :) Tom Teter, Editor

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LATEST TREASURE COAST AND FLORIDA NEWS HEADLINES

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Tom Teter
3114 sw Bridge St
Port St Lucie, FL 34953. 

Email:  news@tcnews.com
 

 

Here's the latest Treasure Coast News......

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NOTE:  I'M ON VACATION FROM THE RADIO THIS WEEK.  EXPECT LIMITED UPDATES HERE.

WEEKEND EDITION MAY 12 & 13

STUART POLICE ARRESTED A PORT ST LUCIE MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO CHEW AND SWALLOW FIVE BAGGIES OF MARIJUANA DURING A TRAFFIC STOP THURSDAY NIGHT.  POLICE SAY 26 YEAR OLD LAKENDRA TYRELL WARREN WAS PULLED OVER FOR DOING 95 MPH ON US ONE

EMPLOYEES AT WPEC TV 12 IN WEST PALM BEACH BEING TESTED FOR EXPOSURE TO TB AFTER THE PALM BEACH COUNTY HEALTH DEPT IDENTIFIES AN EMPLOYEES WHO HAS TUBERCULOSIS

A 20 FOOT LONG PIECE OF WOOD WASHED UP ON THE BEACH AT SAILFISH POINT.  OFFICIALS WITH THE ELLIOTT MUSEUM SAY IT MIGHT BE PART OF A SUNKEN SPANISH GALLEON.  IN 2005 A BIGGER PIERCE OF WOOD ALSO THOUGHT TO BE FROM A SPANISH TREASURE SHIP TURNED OUT TO BE PART OF AN OLD WOODEN DOCK

TCPALM.COM REPORTS A FT PIERCE CAR DEALER CLOSING.  CHARLIES MITSUBISHI & ISUZU ON US ONE IN ST LUCIE COUNTY WILL CLOSE SOON.  LAST DECEMBER STUART MITSUBISHI CLOSED DUE TO SLOW SALES.  IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER SALES OR AN ON-GOING LEGAL DISPUTE BETWEEN OWNER MARK FLOYD AND HIS FAMILY IS WHY CHARLIES WILL CLOSE ON TUESDAY


FRIDAY MAY 11

THE NEW BECKER ROAD TURNPIKE INTERCHANGE OPENS THIS AFTERNOON.  IT'S A SUNPASS ONLY INTERCHANGE.  OFFICIALS THINK IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF TRAFFIC OFF PALM CITY STREETS LIKE MURPHY ROAD,

NEW WATER RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT STARTING NEXT WEEK FOR MARTIN & ST LUCIE COUNTY.  LAWN & LANDSCAPING WATERING WILL BE LIMITED LIMITED TO JUST TWICE A WEEK STARTING WEDNESDAY.  EVEN NUMBERED ADDRESSES CAN WATER BETWEEN 4AM AND 8 AM ON THURSDAY & SUNDAYS, ODD NUMBERS ON WEDNESDAY & SATURDAYS.  GOLF COURSES & AGRICULTURE ALSO MUST FURTHER LIMIT THEIR USAGE

SMOKE AND HAZE FROM BRUSH FIRES BURNING ON FLORIDA'S WEST COAST CONTINUES TO BLOW OVER THE TREASURE COAST.  IT'S A BRUSH FIRE IN COLLIER COUNTY THAT WILL LIKELY SEND SMOKE OVER US THE ENTIRE WEEKEND.  THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 BRUSH FIRES BURNING IN FLORIDA.  54 OF FLORIDA'S 67 COUNTIES HAVE ACTIVE FIRES AS OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON

THERE'S A FUND-RAISING WALK TO BENEFIT THE FAMILY OF A PORT ST LUCIE POLICE DETECTIVE WHO NEEDS A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.  TONY CECALA'S WIFE KRISTINE TURNS OUT TO BE THE OPTIMAL DONOR.  WHILE THE SURGERY IS COVERED BY THE CITY'S INSURANCE, THERE ARE INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.  TODAY'S ONE MILE WALK STARTS AND ENDS AT THE PORT ST LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT BEGINNING AT 5PM.  IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR POLICE AND DETECTIVE CECALA

WEDNESDAY MAY 9

A BRUSH FIRE IN ST LUCIE WEST HAS FORCED THE EVACUATION OF THE FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.  THE FIRE IS BURNING BETWEEN TRADITION FIELD AND THE FAU-IRCC JOINT CAMPUS.  FLAMES WERE STILL LEAPING MORE THAN 10 FEET IN THE AIR AS OF 6:15 PM

SEASON'S FIRST NAMED STORM FORMS OFF THE COAST OF GEORGIA AND NORTH FLORIDA.  SUBTROPICAL STORM ANDREA HAS TOP WINDS OF NEAR 45 MPH.  IT IS EXPECTED TO FIZZLE TO A DEPRESSION OR LOW PRESSURE WEATHER SYSTEM BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON.  IT IS MOVING VERY SLOWLY, ONLY 3-4 MPH TO THE SOUTHWEST.  THE COUNTER CLOCKWISE WIND ROTATION WILL BLOW SMOKE FROM BRUSH FIRES BURNING NEAR NAPLES OVER US.  

SUBTROPICAL STORMS ARE HYBRID WEATHER SYSTEMS THAT HAVE SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL STORMS, BUT ARE USUALLY WEAKER THAT A REGULAR TROPICAL STORM.  A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM FLAGLAR BEACH NORTH TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GEORGIA.  ANDREA IS EXPECTED TOWARD THE SOUTHWEST.  THE HEAVIEST RAINS ARE EAST OF THE CENTER, SO FLORIDA IS NOT EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ANY SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL AT LEAST THRU THURSDAY

LOOK FOR TOUGHER WATER RESTRICTIONS.  THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT IS PROPOSING PHASE II RESTRICTIONS FOR THE MARTIN-ST LUCIE COUNTY AREA.  THAT WOULD LIMIT WATERING LAWNS TO TWO DAYS A WEEK AND REDUCE WATER USED BY COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURE BY 30%.  THE WATER DISTRICT'S BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETS THURSDAY.  OFFICIALS SAY SOME DEEP WATER WELLS USED BY UTILITIES ARE WITHIN TEN PERCENT OF THEIR HISTORIC LOW

RESCUED SEAL DIES.  THE BEARDED SEAL TREASURE COAST SCIENTISTS FINALLY CAPTURED DIED AT SEAWORLD IN ORLANDO TUESDAY WHERE IT HAD BEEN TAKEN IN AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE IT, AND NURSE IT BACK TO HEALTH

FT PIERCE POLICE CHIEF SEAN BALDWIN SAYS THERE'S A GOOD POSSIBILITY THAT AN OFFICER IN TRAINING WHO FIRED A SHOT AT A DRUG SUSPECT HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH USED THAT SUSPECT'S GUN TO FIRE THE SHOT.  A .40 HANDGUN WAS RECOVERED AT THE SCENE. THE CHIEF SAYS THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO SORT EVERYTHING OUT AND CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR THE SUSPECT, JOHNNY LEE ANDERSON, WHO GOT AWAY AFTER THE SHOOTING

TREASURE COAST FIREFIGHTERS ARE UP NORTH HELPING FIGHT BRUSH FIRES BURNING IN NORTH FLORIDA.  MARTIN AND ST LUCIE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS EACH SENT A FOUR PERSON CREW.  THEY WERE PUT ON THE LINE LAST NIGHT PROTECTING HOMES IN BRADFORD COUNTY. MORE THAN 200 WILD FIRES ARE BURNING IN FLORIDA INCLUDING A BIG ONE IN THE PANHANDLE THAT JUMPED ACROSS FROM GEORGIA

MARTIN COUNTY'S PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS MAY DO AWAY WITH THE TRADITIONAL CLASS VALEDICTORIAN HONOR.  THE SCHOOL BOARD LIKES THE IDEA OF A NEW KIND OF HONOR SYSTEM.  SUPPORTERS OF THE NEW SYSTEM SAY THE CURRENT WAY OF NAMING A VALEDICTORIAN SOMETIMES LEADS TO AN UNHEALTHY COMPETITION TO BE THE TOP STUDENT.  STUDENTS SHY FROM SOME COURSES TO CONCENTRATE ON OTHERS THAT LEAD TO A HIGHER GRADE POINT AVERAGE.  THE NEW PLAN WOULD HONOR ALL THE STUDENTS IN THE TOP ONE PERCENT AS GRADUATING SUMMA CUM LAUDE, WITH THE NEXT GROUP IN THE TOP TWO PERCENT GRADUATING MAGNA CUM LAUDE.  SUMMA CUM LAUDE STUDENTS WOULD DECIDE AMONGST THEMSELVES WHO WOULD DELIVER THE VALEDICTORIAL SPEECH

ST LUCIE COUNTY HAS TERMINATED THE LEASE THEY'VE HAD FOR YEARS WITH THE PORT ST LUCIE YACHT CLUB.  THE YACHT CLUB BUILDING BURNED DOWN LAST YEAR AND THEY DISCOVERED THE CLUB ONLY HAD $250,000 INSURANCE ON THE $400,000 BUILDING. 




TUESDAY MAY 8

TWO FT PIERCE POLICE OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING LAST NIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE ORANGEWOOD APARTMENTS.  OFFICERS SAY A DRUG SUSPECT THEY WERE TRYING TO ARREST RESISTED VIOLENTLY AND FLED.  DURING A SECOND CONFRONTATION, ONE OF THE OFFICERS, AN OFFICER IN TRAINING AND ON THE JOB SINCE APRIL, FIRED A SHOT.  HE GOT AWAY AGAIN AND IS STILL AT LARGE

A BOAT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE RIVER NEAR THE OLD ROOSEVELT BRIDGE THIS MORNING.  REPORTS FROM THE SCENE INDICATE THE BOAT WAS PRETTY WELL ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY TIME THE FIRST FIRE UNITS ARRIVED AROUND 11:21 AM.  IT'S NOT BELIEVED ANYONE WAS ON BOARD AT THE TIME.

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OFF THE COAST OF THE CAROLINAS IS KICKING UP BIG WAVES ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND.  WAVES OF TEN FEET ARE REPORTED EAST OF THE FT PIERCE INLET.  THE HIGH SURF WILL BE WITH US THRU THURSDAY.  A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT MEANING BEACHGOERS SHOULD STAY OUT OF THE SURF.  SURFERS HOWEVER ARE DELIGHTED AND ARE SURFING ANY WAY

SERIOUS BEACH EROSION REPORTED IN THE JUPITER AREA.  ONE BUILDING AT JUPITER BEACH PARK HAS ALREADY BEEN DESTROYED.  OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED THE WAVES MAY REACH THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS AT THE PARK DAMAGING THE SEWAGE PIPES LEADING TO A POTENTIAL SPILL

A SHARK BITES GERMAN TOURIST'S LEG OFF NEAR NAPLES

HARBOR BRANCH SCIENTISTS RESCUED WHAT THEY'RE PRETTY SURE IS THE SEAL FIRST SPOTTED IN STUART LAST WEEK.  THEY CAUGHT IT IN BROWARD COUNTY WATERS MONDAY AFTERNOON.  IT'S BEEN TAKEN TO SEAWORLD IN ORLANDO FOR REHABILITATION AND EVENTUAL RELEASE BACK TO THE WILD. LAST REPORT IS THE SEAL WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION

NOBODY IS GOING TO SEND YOU MONEY FOR FREE.  THAT'S THE WARNING ST LUCIE SHERIFF KEN MASCARA HAS FOR PEOPLE GETTING EMAILS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ASKING FOR HELP IN GETTING MONEY OUT OF THEIR COUNTRY OR SAYING YOU'VE WON A LOTTERY OVERSEAS.  MANY OF THE EMAILS INVOLVE SOMEONE IN NIGERIA.

THE PARENTS OF A SOUTHERN OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOLER ARE SUING THE ST LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTING ALLEGING THEIR SON WAS BULLIED BY ANOTHER STUDENT, AND THE SCHOOL DID NOT STOP IT.  THEY SAY THE OTHER STUDENT DREW OBSCENE THINGS ABOUT THEIR SON AND PASSED THEM AROUND TO OTHER STUDENTS.

MONDAY MAY 7

OFFICIALS SAY A SECOND BEARDED SEAL MAY HAVE BEEN SEEN IN BROWARD COUNTY.  THEY HAVE SUSPENDED THE SEARCH FOR A SEAL SEEN LAST WEEK IN THE INTERCOASTAL IN MARTIN COUNTY (See story below).  THE NEW SEAL IS REPORTEDLY A 3 FOOT SEAL TRAPPED IN A CANAL IN DAVIE

CYNTHIA ECONOMOU NAMED ST LUCIE COUNTY FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR.  SHE'S BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT SINCE 1994 AND A PARAMEDIC SINCE 1995.  SHE ALSO RUNS FULLY INVOLVED FARMS WHICH PROVIDES PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY THE OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE HORSES AT NO COST TO THEM.  SHE ALSO TRAINS HUMAN REMAINS DETECTION DOGS WITH THE PORT ST LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  SHE IS A GRADUATE OF FT PIERCE CENTRAL HIGH

THE FIRST SUMMER TERM AT INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE BEGINS TODAY. IT FOLLOWS SATURDAY'S BIGGEST COMMENCEMENT IN IRCC HISTORY WITH ALMOST 14 HUNDRED STUDENTS RECEIVING DEGREES

THE SEARCH FOR BEARDED SEAL THEY'VE BEEN CHASING AND TRYING TO RESCUE IN THE ST LUCIE RIVER AND INDIAN RIVER LAGOON HAS BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL SOMEBODY SEES IT AGAIN.  IT WAS LAST SEEN AROUND 2AM SATURDAY.  THEY ALMOST HAD IT FRIDAY NIGHT AS THEY USED A SLAB OF ICE TO LURE IT CLOSE.  BUT A WOMAN RAN BY AND FRIGHTENED IT AWAY.  IT WAS LAST SEEN NEAR THE HOBE SOUND BRIDGE  

FT PIERCE POLICE SAY TEEN CURFEW WORKING. AT THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK, THEY HAD NOT CITED ANY TEEN FOR BEING OUT LATER THAN MIDNIGHT


WEEKEND EDITION MAY 5 & 6

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE TREASURE COAST.  THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY LIGHTNING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF HAIL AND WINDS OF 60 MPH PLUS ARE MOVING INTO PORTIONS OF MARTIN AND ST LUCIE COUNTY.  MOST OF THE WORST WEATHER IS OVER INDIANTOWN AND WESTERN ST LUCIE COUNTY.  THE WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6:49 PM.   A TORNADO WARNING WAS IN EFFECT FOR A TIME SUNDAY AFTERNOON.  IT HAS EXPIRED.

A GENERATOR FIRE AT THE FPL POWER PLANT IN INDIANTOWN SATURDAY AFTERNOON.  THE INVESTIGATION INTO HOW IT STARTED CONTINUES, BUT IT BURNED FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES.  THE PLANT CONTINUED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY WITH THE OTHER UNITS DURING THE INCIDENT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES

THE STUART SEARS ESSENTIALS STORE WAS ROBBED OF $560 BY A COUPLE WHO CAME IN TO THE STORE BUYING A $2 ITEM.  THE WOMAN, SPEAKING IN A BROKEN EUROPEAN ACCENT TOLD THE 16 YEAR OLD CASH REGISTER CLERK SHE DID NOT UNDERSTAND AMERICAN MONEY AND CAN BE SEEN ON SECURITY VIDEO REACHING IN TO THE CASH DRAW HANDLING MONEY WHILE THE MAN CREATES A DIVERSION BY ENGAGING IN NONSENSICAL CONVERSATION WITH THE YOUNG CLERK.  THE WOMAN TOOK THE CASH WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON.  BOTH THEN QUICKLY LEFT THE STORE DRIVING OFF IN WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN CHRYSLER 300 SERIES DARK COLORED SEDAN

ONE TICKET, SOLD IN LAKE HAMILTON IN POLK COUNTY, WON LAST NIGHT'S $3 MILLION LOTTO JACKPOT

SATURDAY MAY 5

MARTIN COUNTY DEPUTIES NOW ISSUING CITATIONS FOR BREAKING THE WATER RESTRICTIONS.  NO MORE WARNING.  YOU WILL GET A $25 FINE AND REPEATERS FACE 60 DAYS IN JAIL AND A $500 FINE.  ST LUCIE COUNTY STILL GIVING WARNINGS.  THE JAIL TIME AND BIG FINES WILL KICK IN WITH THE THIRD VIOLATION

STUART POLICE ARRESTED A WEST PALM BEACH MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO SHOPLIFT HIS THIRD BIG SCREEN TV FROM THE WAL-MART SUPERCENTER.  STORE SECURITY SAYS GREGORY JOHNSON HAD TWICE BEFORE MANAGED TO GET A 37 INCH FLAT SCREEN TV OUT OF THE STORE AND IN TO A JEEP AND DRIVE OFF.  A HOLLYWOOD FL MAN, LORENZO STANLEY WAS CHARGED WITH BEING AN ACCOMPLICE

A FT PIERCE MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY TORTURING HIS WIFE WITH ELECTRICAL SHOCKS FROM A POWER CORD.  JAMES R JACKSON, 26, REPORTEDLY THOUGHT HIS WIFE WAS HAVING AN AFFAIR

INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATES ITS BIGGEST CLASS EVER TODAY, 1,396 WILL RECEIVE THEIR ASSOCIATES DEGREE FROM COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER, TORREY PINES PRESIDENT DR RICHARD HOUGHTON DURING CEREMONIES AT TRADITION FIELD

TCPALM.COM: "VOACBULARY" ASSIGNMENT GIVEN BY 4th GRADE TEACHAR AT PORT ST LUCIE'S OAK HAMMOCK K-8 SCHOOL FULL OF SPELLING MISTAKES, PUNCTUATION & GRAMMATICAL ERRORS




FRIDAY MAY 4

A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER AND CAR CRASHED INTO EACH OTHER ON I-95 JUST SOUTH OF THE KANNER HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE CLOSING TWO OF THE THREE SOUTHBOUND LANES DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR

FLORIDA IS UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY TODAY DUE TO BRUSH FIRES BURNING ALL OVER.  THERE ARE AT LEAST 95 BRUSH FIRES, THOUGH NONE ARE IN MARTIN & ST LUCIE COUNTY

HAIL AND STORM DAMAGE REPORTED IN PARTS OF WESTERN PORT ST LUCIE THURSDAY AFTERNOON.  BASEBALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN ST LUCIE WEST AND TREES BLOWN OVER IN TRADITION AND ALONG PORT ST LUCIE BLVD.  THE STUART AREA ONLY GOT ABOUT A TENTH OF AN INCH OF RAIN

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE WRAPS UP ITS ANNUAL SESSION TODAY IN TALLAHASSEE.  THEY PASSED A SMALLER STATE BUDGET, MOVED FLORIDA'S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY UP TO THE END OF JANUARY NEXT YEAR, BUT WILL HAVE TO MEET AGAIN IN JUNE TO TACKLE PROPERTY TAX REFORM AGAIN

MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER SARAH HEARD SAYS ANY TAX REFORMS MUST TREAT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT EQUALLY.  SCHOOL DISTRICTS SO FAR HAVE BEEN EXEMPT FROM ANY OF THE PLANS BEING TALKED ABOUT

WILDLIFE OFFICIALS WILL BE WATCHING FOR A SEAL TODAY THAT THEY TRACKED ALL DAY THURSDAY IN THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND INTERCOASTAL.  IT'S TOO BIG TO CATCH.

SOME OF THE BIGGEST WATER USERS IN MARTIN COUNTY LIVE ON JUPITER ISLAND.  QUITE A FEW USE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GALLONS A MONTH



THURSDAY MAY 3

RAIN & LIGHTNING!  STORM DAMAGE AND HAIL REPORTED.   A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LIGHTNING AND HAIL AND WINDS OF 60 MPH FORMED AROUND 1:30 PM WEST OF HOBE SOUND NORTH TO FT PIERCE.  THE BIGGEST CELL DEVELOPED OVER WESTERN PORT ST LUCIE & ST LUCIE WEST.  THERE WERE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF HAIL REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INCLUDING BASEBALL SIZE HAIL IN ST LUCIE WEST.  THERE WAS TREE DAMAGE REPORTED IN THE TRADITION DEVELOPMENT.  BY 3:30 THE SUN WAS BACK SHINING.

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE HAS VOTED TO MOVE THE STATE'S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY UP TO JANUARY 29th, RIGHT AFTER THE IOWA CAUCUSES AND THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY.  FLORIDA LAWMAKERS SAY THE STATE DESERVES A MORE IMPORTANT SAY IN WHO WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS.  TROUBLE IS THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT NATIONAL OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY WOULD TAKE AWAY FLORIDA DELEGATE VOTES IF THE PRIMARY IS HELD BEFORE FEBRUARY 5th.  FLORIDA'S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY HAS BEEN HELD IN MARCH, BUT BY THEN THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO BEING SELECTED

A CRASH CLOSED THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE ABOUT A MILE NORTH OF THE PALM CITY-STUART TOLL PLAZA AROUND 3PM.  THE CRASH SCENE SHOULD BE CLEAR NOW.  ANOTHER CRASH HAS CLOSED ONE OF THE TWO NORTHBOUND LANES OF I-95 NORTH OF ORANGE AVENUE THIS AFTERNOON

A PORT ST LUCIE WOMAN GOT 35 YEARS IN PRISON TODAY FOR HITTING AND KILLING A TEENAGER WAITING FOR HIS SCHOOL BUS TWO YEARS AGO.  43 YEAR OLD JOY SNEDDEN HAD METHADONE, XANAX AND MARIJUANA IN HER SYSTEM THE MORNING SHE HIT 17 YEAR OLD ROBERT DECARA ALONG DARWIN BLVD.  SHE WAS ALSO DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE

RESCUERS HAVE FOUND AND ARE TRACKING A SEAL IN THE INTERCOASTAL.  A FISHERMAN FIRST SAW THE SEAL THIS MORNING IN THE INTERCOASTAL JUST SOUTH OF THE ST LUCIE INLET.  A TEAM FROM HARBOR BRANCH HAS BEEN CALLED IN AND HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE SEAL TO KEEP IT SAFE FROM OTHER BOATERS.  AT FIRST THEY HOPED TO CATCH IT, BUT NOW ARE NOT SURE THEY CAN BECAUSE THE SEAL IS SO BIG....SIX OR SEVEN FEET LONG.

A KIDNEY DONOR HAS BEEN FOUND FOR VETERAN PORT ST LUCIE POLICE DETECTIVE TONY CECALA....HIS WIFE.  DOCTORS SAY KRISTINE CECALA IS A SUITABLE DONOR.  DETECTIVE CECALA HAS BEEN UNDERGOING KIDNEY DIALYSIS THE PAST 6 MONTHS

A 43 YEAR OLD PORT ST LUCIE WOMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MAKING A FALSE REPORT THAT HAD POLICE LOOKING FOR A HOME INTRUDER THAT NEVER WAS.  CAMILLE MALIZIA ADMITTED HAVING HAD AN ARGUMENT WITH HER HUSBAND DURING WHICH SHE CALLED 911, BUT HUNG UP.  WHEN 911 CALLED BACK SHE ALLEGEDLY MADE UP A STORY ABOUT HAVING SEEN A MAN IN HER HOUSE THAN RAN OUT THE DOOR BECAUSE SHE WAS EMBARRASSED.  ST LUCIE COUNTY DEPUTIES THEN SPENT ABOUT 45 MINUTES LOOKING FOR THE MAN ON FOOT, WITH K-9s AND BY HELICOPTER

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BECKER ROAD TURNPIKE INTERCHANGE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK A COUPLE DAYS.  IT WILL BE ON FRIDAY MAY 11th.  THE DOT HAD SCHEDULED IT FOR WEDNESDAY, BUT PORT ST LUCIE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS JACK KELLY AND CHRIS COOPER, WHO WANTED TO ATTEND, HAVE TO BE AT AN MPO MEETING.  NASCAR DRIVER JOE NEMACHECK WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE THE FIRST CAR, BUT HE CAN'T ATTEND ON FRIDAY.


IN EARLIER TREASURE COAST NEWS...

77% OF MARTIN COUNTY THIRD GRADERS PASSED THE FCAT READING TEST AND 83% PASSED THE MATH FCAT.  JUST 63% OF ST LUCIE COUNTY THIRD GRADERS PASSED READING, WITH 69% PASSING THE MATH FCAT

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE HAS GIVEN UP TRYING PASS PROPERTY TAX REFORM THIS SESSION, AND WILL GO BACK TO TALLAHASSEE IN JUNE TO TRY IT DURING A SPECIAL SESSION

TWO TREASURE COAST CAR DEALERS HIT BY SUAVE CAR THIEVES WHO CAME IN, LOOKED AT CADILLAC ESCALADES OR LANDROVER, AND SWITCHED THE KEYS WHILE ONE WAS LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD WITH THE SALEMAN

FIRE DAMAGED A HOME ON TIMBER RIDGE LANE IN FT PIERCE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

ST LUCIE COUNTY IMPLEMENTING A PARTIAL HIRING FREEZE AND THINKING ABOUT CHARGING PEOPLE TO PARK AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TAX DOLLARS IF PROPERTY TAX REFORMS GO TOO FAR

A JUDGE ORDERS A MARTIN COUNTY MAN NEVER TO SHOP AT THE STUART WALMART STORE AGAIN AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF SHOPLIFTING BY SWITCHING BAR CODE LABLES

A FOREST GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT CHARGED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TO BOMB THE SCHOOL AFTER BEING TOLD HE COULD BE HELD BACK FROM PROMOTION.  THEY REPORTEDLY FOUND A NOTEBOOK IN HIS BACKPACK WITH STATEMENTS AND DRAWINGS ABOUT KILLING

A SOUTH FORK HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GOT MAD AT HIS TEACHER AND ALLEGEDLY THREATENED A VIRGINIA TECH INCIDENT

MARTIN COUNTY DEPUTIES ARRESTED A MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY THREW HIS WIFE OVERBOARD FROM THEIR BOAT, AND SAILED OFF LEAVING HER IN THE OCEAN ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM SHORE


WEDNESDAY MAY 2

MARTIN COUNTY THIRD GRADERS DID WELL ON THE FCAT READING & MATH TESTS.  ST LUCIE COUNTY THIRD GRADERS DID NOT DO AS WELL AS THEY DID LAST YEAR.  IN MARTIN COUNTY, 77% OF THE THIRD GRADERS WERE AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL IN READING.  IN ST LUCIE COUNTY, 63% WERE READING AT THAT LEVEL.  THAT IS A DROP OF 9 POINTS FROM LAST YEAR, AND IT IS BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE OF 69%.  IN MATH, 83% OF MARTIN COUNTY THIRD GRADERS PASSED THE FCAT.  IN ST LUCIE COUNTY 69% DID.

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE WILL HOLD A SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH PROPERTY TAX REFORM.  IT WILL START TUESDAY JUNE 12th.  THE FLORIDA HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE BEEN PRETTY WELL DEADLOCKED OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE DURING THE CURRENT REGULAR SESSION THAT ENDS FRIDAY.  THE HOUSE WANTED MORE SWEEPING CHANGES, SWAPPING PROPERTY TAXES FOR AN INCREASE IN THE STATE SALES TAX.  THE FLORIDA SENATE DOESN'T WANT AN INCREASE IN THE SALES TAX

TREASURE COAST CONGRESSMAN TIM MAHONEY HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS THAT, IF PASSED, WOULD GIVE THE TOWN OF JUPITER ISLAND THE FIRST OPTION OF GETTING LAND NOW OWNED BY THE COAST GUARD FOR USE AS A NATURE PRESERVE.  THE COAST GUARD HAS NOT USED THE BEACH AREA SINCE WORLD WAR II AND SEA TURTLES USE IT AS A NESTING AREA

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE HAS APPROVED RAISING TUITION UP TO 15% AT FLORIDA STATE, THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA & THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA.  RIGHT NOW, FLORIDA HAS THE LOWEST TUITION RATES FOR IN-STATE STUDENTS IN THE NATION.  OFFICIALS SAY HIGHER TUITION WILL HELP ATTRACT BETTER PROFESSORS 

A WOMAN OFFICIALS SAY CALLED IN A BOMB THREAT TO THE ST LUCIE COUNTY COURTHOUSE LAST WEEK IS IN JAIL.  OFFICIALS SAY 22 YEAR OLD HEATHER HAMILTON DID NOT WANT TO APPEAR IN COURT LAST FRIDAY, AND CALLED IN THE THREAT SO SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO.

THIEVES BROKE IN TO MANGROVE MATTIES RESTAURANT IN FT PIERCE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.  $2,450 CASH WAS STOLEN
 

IN EARLIER TREASURE COAST NEWS....


MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE IN TALLAHASSEE TODAY TO LOBBY AGAINST THE MORE SWEEPING OF THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PLANS THE LEGISLATURE IS TALKING ABOUT

MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF BOB CROWDER WARNS CRIME COULD INCREASE IF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FORCES HIM TO LAYOFF PEOPLE

FCAT READING AND MATH SCORES FOR SOME STUDENTS COME OUT TODAY.  3rd GRADERS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST PASS THE READING TEST TO BE PROMOTED OR TO GRADUATE STARTING THIS YEAR

TORREY PINES HAS HIRED THREE TOP SCIENTISTS TO DO RESEARCH AT THEIR NEW PORT ST LUCIE FACILITY

TREASURE COAST CONGRESSMAN TIM MAHONEY URGED THE PRESIDENT NOT TO VETO THE IRAQ WAR BUDGET SUPPLEMENT THAT HAS TROOP WITHDRAWAL TIMELINES YESTERDAY JUST HOURS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT VETOED IT

500 TURNED OUT LAST NIGHT AT AN IMMIGRATION REFORM RALLY IN FT PIERCE

A BOYNTON BEACH POLICE OFFICER WAS ARRESTED AT TRADITION FIELD MONDAY NIGHT FOR ALLEGEDLY BEING DRUNK AND SWEARING

MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE BACKING THE IDEA OF BUILDING A FLOW WAY CONNECTING LAKE OKEECHOBEE WITH THE EVERGLADES AS A WAY TO STOP THE RELEASE OF WATER FROM THE LAKE DOWN THE ST LUCIE RIVER

FT PIERCE POLICE HAVE STARTED ENFORCING A CURFEW ON TEENS HOPING TO CUT DOWN ON CRIME



TUESDAY MAY 1

MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF BOB CROWDER WORRIES ABOUT DRASTIC BUDGET CUTS UNDER SOME PROPERTY TAX REFORM PLANS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN TALLAHASSEE.  HE TOLD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TODAY IT COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN CRIME AND TRAFFIC DEATHS IF HE HAS TO LAY PEOPLE OFF.  HE SUGGESTS THE STATE APPOINT A BLUE RIBBON GROUP TO STUDY THE ISSUE TO COME UP WITH A FAIR TAX SYSTEM THAT WILL AVOID UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED TODAY TO BACK THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER FLOW WAY TO MOVE WATER FROM LAKE OKEECHOBEE SOUTH TO THE EVERGLADES INSTEAD OF DOWN THE ST LUCIE RIVER.  LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND CITIZENS SAY THE ST LUCIE RIVER LOOKS THE BEST IN YEARS BECAUSE NO WATER HAS BEEN LET OUT OF THE LAKE DUE TO THE DROUGHT,  THE RIVERS COALITION AND MARTIN COUNTY CONSERVATION ALLIANCE ARE AMONG THOSE SUPPORTING THE FLOW WAY

TORREY PINES HAS HIRED THREE TOP SCIENTISTS TO DO RESEARCH IN PORT ST LUCIE.  DR COLETTE TOOLEY, A MOLECULAR BIOLOGIST AND THE HUSBAND & WIFE TEAM OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTS DRS JOSE MEDINA-FRANCO AND KATRINA MARTINEZ-MAYORGA WILL JOIN TORREY PINES THIS SUMMER WHILE DOOLEY'S HUSBAND DR GREG O'CORRY CROWE WILL JOIN HARBOR BRANCH AS AN ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST.

ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS SAY IT WILL COST $846 MILLION TO REINFORCE THE HERBERT HOOVER DIKE AROUND LAKE OKEECHOBEE.  THE CORP TOLD MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TODAY THAT WORK ON THE DIKE WILL BEGIN THIS SUMMER FROM MARTIN COUNTY AROUND THE SOUTHERN END OF THE LAKE.  THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETE BY 2030 BASED ON CURRENT FUNDING LEVELS. 

INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL HOLD ITS BIGGEST COMMENCEMENT EVER THIS SATURDAY.  1,396 STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR ASSOCIATES DEGREE AT TRADITION FIELD.  TORREY PINES PRESIDENT DR RICHARD HOUGHTON WILL BE COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

A SUCCESSFUL HIGH SCHOOL VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE.  MARTIN COUNTY ELECTION SUPERVISOR VICKI DAVIS SAYS THEY REGISTERED 701 STUDENTS AT THE THREE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS THIS SPRING.  MARTIN COUNTY HIGH REGISTERED 397 STUDENTS, SOUTH FORK 215 AND JENSEN BEACH HIGH 89 STUDENTS

NEW STUDY FINDS A LOT OF NEWLY BUILT, EMPTY HOMES ON THE TREASURE COAST DUE TO OVER BUILDING AND THE REAL ESTATE SLOWDOWN.  MARTIN COUNTY HAD 408 EMPTY HOMES THE END OF MARCH, ST LUCIE COUNTY HAD 1,338 VACANT NEW HOMES

HURRICANE SEASON STARTS ONE MONTH FROM TODAY.  THAT'S WHEN THIS YEAR'S 12 DAY HURRICANE SUPPLY SALES TAX FREE DAYS.  THIS YEAR WEATHER ALERT RADIOS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST OF SUPPLIES

THE CITY OF STUART LOOKING AT A HIRING FREEZE AND OTHER MEASURES TO SAVE MONEY IN ANTICIPATION OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM BY THE STATE

PORT ST LUCIE LOOKING AT PASSING THE TOUGHEST ANTI-LITTERING LAW IN FLORIDA.  PARENTS WAITING TO PICK UP KIDS AT THEIR SCHOOL BUS STOPS AND THE FLASHES ADVERTISING PAPER THROWN IN PEOPLE'S YARDS BILL BE TARGETED BY THE NEW LAW WHEN IT'S ADOPTED

EXPERTS SAY THE PRICE OF GAS IS GOING UP, BUT SHOULD COME DOWN THIS SUMMER IN FLORIDA AS INVENTORIES CATCH UP WITH DEMAND

A 2 YEAR OLD FT PIERCE GIRL FACES YEARS OF PLASTIC SURGERIES AFTER A DOG BIT HER IN THE FACE.  THE DOG LEFT A ONE INCH DEEP HOLE IN HER CHEEK.  IT'S THE SECOND DOG ATTACK IN ST LUCIE COUNTY THE PAST WEEK.

WAYNE HUIZENGA HAD A PERMIT TO SHOOT OFF FIREWORKS AT HIS PALM CITY HOME OVER THE WEEKEND DESPITE THE MARTIN COUNTY BAN ON FIREWORKS.  HIS FIREWORKS WERE PERMITTED BECAUSE THEY WERE SHOT FROM A BARGE IN THE RIVER

ST LUCIE COUNTY IS PLANNING TO BUILD A 13,500 SQUARE FOOT SKATE BOARD FACILITY AT LAWNWOOD SPORTS COMPLEX.  PLANNERS SAY IT WILL BE "AWESOME"



MONDAY APRIL 30

STUART CITY COMMISSIONERS GOT A LOOK AT RECOMMENDED WAYS TO SAVE MONEY IF PROPERTY TAX REFORMS ARE ADOPTED BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.  CITY MANAGER DAN HUDSON IS RECOMMENDING A NO-LAYOFF POLICY AND A HIRING FREEZE.  HE IS ALSO RECOMMENDING THE CITY REDUCE ITS FLEET OF VEHICLES.  THE STAFF WILL ALSO RESEARCH  EXPANDING THE UTILITY TAX.

PORT ST LUCIE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WORKED ON THE PROPOSED NEW LITTER LAW TODAY.  THEY HAVE A CONSENSUS THAT PEOPLE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING UP LITTER IN THEIR YARD, AND THAT THE FLASHES ADVERTISING NEWSPAPER MUST STOP THROWING THEIR PAPER IN PEOPLE'S YARDS IF THE RESIDENT'S DON'T WANT THEM.  OTHER IDEAS INCLUDE HAVING THE CREWS THAT MOW THE SWALES PICK UP LITTER AND WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PREVENT KIDS FROM THROWING LITTER OUT THE WINDOW OF SCHOOL BUSSES.  THE CITY COUNCIL WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THE LITTER LAW AT THEIR CITY RETREAT IN JULY

A BILL ALLOWING PHONE COMPANIES TO GET INTO THE CABLE TV BUSINESS IN FLORIDA HAS PASSED THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.  THE HOUSE TODAY APPROVED THE SENATE'S VERSION OF THE BILL THAT SUPPORTERS SAY WILL LOWER CABLE TV BILLS THRU COMPETITION.  THE BILL PROHIBITS PHONE COMPANIES FROM CHERRY PICKING AREAS TO SERVE BY PROHIBITING THEM FROM NOT SERVING AREAS BASED ON RACE OR INCOME.  GOVERNOR CRIST HAS NOT SAID IF HE WILL SIGN OR VETO THE BILL

GOVERNOR CHARLIE CRIST WILL SIGN A HURRICANE SUPPLY SALES TAX FREE DAY BILL INTO LAW TODAY.  THINGS LIKE BATTERIES, FLASHLIGHTS, GENERATORS AND THIS YEAR WEATHER RADIOS WILL BE EXEMPT FROM STATE AND COUNTY SALES TAXES BETWEEN JUNE 1st AND JUNE 12th. 

A SEMI LOST ITS LOAD OF ORANGES AROUND 12:30 THIS AFTERNOON AT FOX BROWN ROAD AND MARTIN GRADE HIGHWAY NEAR INDIANTOWN.  THE LOST LOAD CAUSED A ROAD BLOCK

IN EARLIER TREASURE COAST NEWS.....


ABOUT AN ACRE BURNED LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHEN A BRUSH FIRE BROKE OUT BEHIND THE ETHAN ALLAN STORE JUST NORTH OF THE NEW ROOSEVELT BRIDGE

TREASURE COAST SKYS ARE HAZY AGAIN TODAY.  OFFICIALS SAY IT'S SMOKE FROM THAT BIG GEORGIA BRUSH FIRE BLOW OVER FLORIDA.  SUNDAY MARTIN & ST LUCIE COUNTY 911 GOT CALLS FROM PEOPLE WONDERING WHAT IT WAS.

SUNDAY WAS TAX FREEDOM DAY IN FLORIDA.  UP TILL NOW, EVERY DOLLAR THE AVERAGE FLORIDIAN HAS MADE HAS GONE TO PAY FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL TAXES

THE NEW BECKER ROAD TURNPIKE INTERCHANGE WILL OPEN MAY 9th.  NASCAR DRIVER JOE NEMECHECK WILL BE THE FIRST TO USE IT

THE CHICAGO BULLS SWEPT THE MIAMI HEAT IN FOUR GAMES KNOCKING THE DEFENDING NBA CHAMPS OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS

THE PORT ST LUCIE CITY COUNCIL MEETS THIS AFTERNOON AT 2PM.  A TOUGHER LITTER LAW IS ON THE AGENDA